Baby Shower Planning Guide
The Baby Shower Guide outlined below will help you get started:
Make a guest list
Now that you have decided you are definitely going ahead with the Baby Shower. You need to create an initial list to give you an idea of the numbers to plan for. Talk to the mum-to-be to help you fine tune this list, make sure you include in your final list, the addresses for your guests as you will need these for sending out invitation later on. This final list is what you will use to keep track of RSVPs as they come in and at the end of the Baby Shower, you will need this list for ‘thank you' cards.
Create a budget
This is a good thing to do very early in your planning. In your budget, you need to account for every imaginable cost that will go into making the shower. Make a complete list of these costs as this will prepare you and help you make allowances for any unexpected costs.
Choose a theme
Choosing a theme early in your planning will help you set the tone for the Baby Shower, decide on decorations, menus, favours, games etc. We have put together a list of popular themes that you may find helpful in choosing yours. Click here to see the list online: http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/themes.html.
Choose a date
The best time to have a Baby Shower is during the weekend. Ideally you should set a date which is somewhere between one months to two months before mum-to-be's due date. Before finally deciding on a date it is a good idea to contact all the important guests to check their availabilities on your proposed dates. This will help you avoid clashes.
Choose a suitable location
Armed with your guest lists and proposed date, you can now look for a suitable location. Your location should be within your budget and large enough to accommodate your expected guests. Make sure you check on the food and drink policies of the venue. Other things to check are if your chosen venue would accommodate your theme and decoration ideas.Choose and order invitations
At this stage your guest list should be finalised. Now is the time to choose your invitations, order them and send them out. Generally your invitations should fit into the overall theme of the Baby Shower. It should state clearly the details of the Baby Shower (i.e. location, date, time, host, phone number, and include a map of the event location, RSVP date). Once you start receiving RSVPs you can update your list so you can see at a glance those who have not responded to the invite.
Plan the Baby Shower menu
This will depend sometimes on the venue of the Baby Shower. For example, if the event will be held in restaurant, all you need to do is choose from the variety that the restaurant offers (make sure you take into consideration, any special dietary needs of your guests). You will need to work with the restaurant and what they can offer you.
If the event is been hosted at a home, you can chose to cater or make your own food or do both. You can even have each guest bring some food for the event.
You can choose to have a buffet depending on how much space you have or you can have a sit down menu. Whether it's a sit-down dinner or a finger-food treat, everybody loves a little something to eat!
Choose and buy Baby Shower Decorations and Party ware
There is a large variety of Baby Shower décor to choose from these days, but your choice will be determined to a large extent by the venue you intend to use for the event.
For example, if the event will be held in restaurant, all you may need to do will be to choose from the variety of décor that they have to offer. Ensure that what is offered goes in line with your chosen Baby Shower theme.
Some venues may allow you bring in your own decorations, just ensure that the policies are clear to you from the onset, so you can avoid any unwanted surprises.
If the Baby Shower is held in a home, you will need to supply your own partyware (plates, napkins, cups, cutlery etc.), see(http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/partyware.html) for fantastic and unique ideas and items that you will absolutely love!
Choose and buy Baby Shower games and prizes
Where there is a game, there should be a prize… we have a lovely selection of games (http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/gamesshop.html) that can spice up your Baby Shower and make it mega exciting. A selection of these games can be personalised FREE of charge. For prizes you can use Baby Shower Favours and be sure to have some extras in case of tie games.
Put finishing touches to your arrangements and host the Baby Shower
At this point, you should be ready to go, check for any last minute RSVPs, delegate duties and assign responsibilities. On the day of the event, start preparing early and be ready for when your guests start arriving. Enjoy it and have a wonderful time!
Make a guest list
Now that you have decided you are definitely going ahead with the Baby Shower. You need to create an initial list to give you an idea of the numbers to plan for. Talk to the mum-to-be to help you fine tune this list, make sure you include in your final list, the addresses for your guests as you will need these for sending out invitation later on. This final list is what you will use to keep track of RSVPs as they come in and at the end of the Baby Shower, you will need this list for ‘thank you' cards.
Create a budget
This is a good thing to do very early in your planning. In your budget, you need to account for every imaginable cost that will go into making the shower. Make a complete list of these costs as this will prepare you and help you make allowances for any unexpected costs.
Choose a theme
Choosing a theme early in your planning will help you set the tone for the Baby Shower, decide on decorations, menus, favours, games etc. We have put together a list of popular themes that you may find helpful in choosing yours. Click here to see the list online: http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/themes.html.
Choose a date
The best time to have a Baby Shower is during the weekend. Ideally you should set a date which is somewhere between one months to two months before mum-to-be's due date. Before finally deciding on a date it is a good idea to contact all the important guests to check their availabilities on your proposed dates. This will help you avoid clashes.
Choose a suitable location
Armed with your guest lists and proposed date, you can now look for a suitable location. Your location should be within your budget and large enough to accommodate your expected guests. Make sure you check on the food and drink policies of the venue. Other things to check are if your chosen venue would accommodate your theme and decoration ideas.Choose and order invitations
At this stage your guest list should be finalised. Now is the time to choose your invitations, order them and send them out. Generally your invitations should fit into the overall theme of the Baby Shower. It should state clearly the details of the Baby Shower (i.e. location, date, time, host, phone number, and include a map of the event location, RSVP date). Once you start receiving RSVPs you can update your list so you can see at a glance those who have not responded to the invite.
Plan the Baby Shower menu
This will depend sometimes on the venue of the Baby Shower. For example, if the event will be held in restaurant, all you need to do is choose from the variety that the restaurant offers (make sure you take into consideration, any special dietary needs of your guests). You will need to work with the restaurant and what they can offer you.
If the event is been hosted at a home, you can chose to cater or make your own food or do both. You can even have each guest bring some food for the event.
You can choose to have a buffet depending on how much space you have or you can have a sit down menu. Whether it's a sit-down dinner or a finger-food treat, everybody loves a little something to eat!
Choose and buy Baby Shower Decorations and Party ware
There is a large variety of Baby Shower décor to choose from these days, but your choice will be determined to a large extent by the venue you intend to use for the event.
For example, if the event will be held in restaurant, all you may need to do will be to choose from the variety of décor that they have to offer. Ensure that what is offered goes in line with your chosen Baby Shower theme.
Some venues may allow you bring in your own decorations, just ensure that the policies are clear to you from the onset, so you can avoid any unwanted surprises.
If the Baby Shower is held in a home, you will need to supply your own partyware (plates, napkins, cups, cutlery etc.), see(http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/partyware.html) for fantastic and unique ideas and items that you will absolutely love!
Choose and buy Baby Shower games and prizes
Where there is a game, there should be a prize… we have a lovely selection of games (http://www.babyshowercentre.co.uk/gamesshop.html) that can spice up your Baby Shower and make it mega exciting. A selection of these games can be personalised FREE of charge. For prizes you can use Baby Shower Favours and be sure to have some extras in case of tie games.
Put finishing touches to your arrangements and host the Baby Shower
At this point, you should be ready to go, check for any last minute RSVPs, delegate duties and assign responsibilities. On the day of the event, start preparing early and be ready for when your guests start arriving. Enjoy it and have a wonderful time!
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